Services and Programs
Pediatric Rheumatology/Immunology
Conditions We Treat
We provide care and consultation for all types of childhood rheumatologic
and immunologic disorders. The following represent some of the
conditions we diagnose and treat:
-
Juvenile
Idiopathic Arthritis
This is the most common form of chronic arthritis in childhood,
causing pain, stiffness, swelling, and decreased function
of
the joints. The arthritis may be associated with rashes or
fevers and can affect other parts of the body such as the
eyes.
-
Systemic
Lupus Erythematosus (Lupus or SLE)
Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease in which
the immune system harms the body's own healthy cells and tissues.
This can result in inflammation of and damage to the joints,
skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, blood vessels, and brain.
-
Hypermobility
Syndrome
This is characterized by abnormal laxity of ligaments, tendons
and joint capsules resulting in excessive joint movement causing
pain and an increased likelihood of sprains.
-
Fibromyalgia
Syndrome
Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder of unknown cause that results
in multi ple areas of pain and
stiffness, and specific localized tender points. Patients
experience sleep
disturbances, are often fatigued and describe periods of difficulty
in concentration and feeling depressed. Adolescents with
fibromyalgia
may follow a different, more remitting course than their
adult counterparts.
-
Raynaud’s
Phenomenon
This is a condition in which the blood vessels of the fingers
and toes react in an extreme way to cold. They suddenly get
very narrow (vasoconstrict), decreasing the blood supply and
as a result, the fingers and toes become cold and typically
change color from pale (white) to blue/purple to red. Pain or
tingling can occur in the affected fingers and toes and in severe
cases sores form at the tips of the digits.
-
Patello-femoral
pain syndrome
This is a condition characterized by significant knee pain unassociated
with arthritis, inflammation or specific injury. A roughened
under-surface of the patella (knee cap) felt to contribute to symptoms present and
patients respond well to targeted exercise and medication.
-
Dermatomyositis
This is an autoimmune condition in which patients develop muscle
and skin inflammation resulting in weakness, loss of muscle
tissue and rashes. These children are sensitive to sunlight
and can experience other abnormalities that affect the heart,
lungs and intestines.
-
Behcet’s
Syndrome
This is a chronic condition that causes intermittent episodes
of small sores or ulcers in the mouth and on the genitals, and
inflammation in parts of the eye. In some people, the disease
also results in arthritis, skin problems, and inflammation of
the digestive tract, brain, and spinal cord.
-
Immunodeficiency
Disorders
This includes a wide variety of disorders resulting from poorly
functioning immune responses with subsequent problems of frequent
infection and poor growth.
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